Even though the two nations are next door neighbours with plenty of cultural overlap, there are still so many differences in what Canadians and Americans have available to consume.
For Canadian travellers looking for a road trip, heading down to the USA can be a fun trip to stock up on special items and products that aren’t available (or are more expensive) in the great white north.
Beauty products
Beauty products like cosmetics, skincare, and other hygiene products are top of the list of items of what Canadians buy in the US and covet from their American counterparts.
Ashley Tisdale’s line is available at Target and features dreamy fragrances that have consumers going wild.
- Drunk Elephant
Certain Drunk Elephant products are easier to find in the USA, and Canadian beauty enthusiasts often pick up items like the T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial, which contains a blend of AHA and BHA to exfoliate and renew skin cells.
Pharmacy
Border hopping happens in both directions as Americans and Canadians try to get the most out of healthcare services and pharmaceuticals. Basic over-the-counter medications
- Excedrin Migraine
A blessed mix of caffeine, aspirin, and acetaminophen can be a game changer for anyone with an occasional migraine to treat.
- Lactase Enzymes
For the lactose intolerant, these are a game changer. While various brands of lactase enzymes are available to Canada, the States seems to have more store brands (read: way less expensive) and a wider variety of sizes of packs to buy.
Fun food and snacks
- Anything from Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s is such a fun grocery store to visit when stateside. Their store-brand offers a number of unique products like Speculoos Cookie Butter, Cacio E Pepe Puffs, and Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups.
- Oreos
Regular Oreos are easy enough to find in Canada, as are a number of specialty flavours; however, it’s not uncommon for Oreos to be what Canadians buy in the US and stock up on the limited release editions when hitting a USA grocery store. Red Velvet Oreos, anyone?
- Chick-Fil-A Sauce
Of course, without any locations of the fast food chain in Canada, Canadians also don’t have access to their signature sauce. Some shoppers stock up on the iconic Chick-Fil-A sauce to bring home in an attempt to recreate their tasty chicken sandwiches.
Home and garden
- Roundup Weed Killer
With some stricter environmental regulations in Canada, stronger formulations of lawncare and weed killing products like Roundup are easier to find in the USA.
- Miracle-Gro
Like with weed killers, certain specialized fertilizers and soil mixes do not meet Canadian regulations. Specific products from Miracle-Gro are available in the USA but are not readily available to gardeners searching Canadian stores.
- Citristrip
DIY aficionados know that Citristrip is a go-to for removing paint and varnish from old furniture—a must-do step to save from hours of sanding before a piece is ready to refinish. It’s a top handy-person product when it comes to what Canadians buy in the US.
Whatever you’re buying, be sure to keep in mind any customs regulations for what kinds of products are and are not allowed to be brought across the border. If in doubt, be sure to declare it to the agent when you head home.
